Vital Market Drayton food bank low on supplies

The number of people using Market Drayton’s food bank could just be the tip of an iceberg, a councillor has warned as its supplies reached their lowest ever level.

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Volunteer Hazel Haskayne said the food supplies “had never been so low” after a busy day last Friday, and made a heartfelt plea for anyone in the community who is in a position to help to donate.

And Market Drayton Town Councillor Mike Smith said the current numbers of residents using the service could be hiding a much higher number of people in need because of pride or a lack of awareness.

A number of people have donated food and other essentials since, though food bank manager Helen McSherry said there is still an urgent need for more. She thanked everyone who had donated for their generosity to the cause.

Worrying

Hazel said: “I have to keep asking for donations of food as I don’t know what else to do. I know there are lots of people out there who give every week and I would like to say thank you, we really do appreciate everything you do.

“I am now going to ask all those people who have not yet given to the food bank for whatever reason to please try and find it in your heart to help the less fortunate people of the town when they need it most."

Councillor Smith runs the popular social media page the Drayton Crier. He said: “It’s worrying that there is so much dependency on the food bank.

“It seems to be getting worse. How do we get people to donate more to it, that is the problem really.

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“Who knows, we may all need the food bank one day.

“If it is bad, chances are in real terms it’s a lot worse. There will be people who feel it’s charity, they are too proud and they don’t want to feel like they are stooping too low.

Triggers

"To be honest I don’t know myself what sort of things they want. Somebody suggested we put an update on the Crier every week saying what they are short of, I don’t see why not.

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“Some people I have heard question what triggers the ability to be able to use the food banks, perhaps someone could say what that is.

“Overall I think it’s a great facility and run by a well-meaning bunch of volunteers. Perhaps we need educating about what it is, what it does – perhaps something I could also help with on the Crier.”

Access to the food bank is via referral from a support agency. The Trussell Trust advises contacting the Market Drayton branch by calling 01630 654007 or emailing info@marketdrayton.foodbank.org.uk.

The food bank can then suggest a referral agency to contact, who will then be able to provide a referral or voucher to take to the food bank on Tuesday mornings or Friday afternoons.

Market Drayton’s food drop-off points include at the town’s supermarkets, churches, and the Festival Drayton Centre.

There are also collection points at points in nearby villages including Loggerheads, Childs Ercall and Mucklestone.

To see what is needed each week and the full list of collection points visit marketdrayton.foodbank.org.uk